The dunk looked like something from a cartoon, which was quite fitting considering the New Orleans Pelicans were celebrating "Space Jam" night on March 21.
Pelicans center Karlo Matkovic ran along the baseline, leaped with his back turned to the basket to catch a pass from a Jeremiah Fears pass, then turned in midair and slammed it home.
It's a dunk that will go down as not only one of the best in a Pelicans’ game this season but also one of the better ones in the league. It was so good that the NBA requested Matkovic to take a drug test the next day. OK, so the NBA drug tests are actually random, but the timing of this one was enough to make the 6-foot-10 Matkovic joke about it.
“Of course I’m drug-tested today,” Matkovic said on a social-media post with a picture of his highlight-reel slam.
Matkovic passed the test, much like he’s passed every test this season whenever his name has been called.
He has started just two games. There have been other games when he didn’t play at all. But when it’s time to play, he’s typically found a way to make an impact for the Pelicans.
“I’m used to it,” Matkovic said. “Try to be ready always. I talk to players and talk to coaches about how to stay ready always. I think I’m doing a good job at it. Just staying healthy and available. When the time comes, trying to be ready.”
Some of Matkovic’s numbers won’t jump off the stat sheet. He’s averaging just 5.7 points and 3.7 rebounds. But he is also a threat from the outside, shooting 43.7% on 3-pointers.
“He’s added a different element to our team,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said. "He’s made it very tough for me not to play him. Even with so many bigs, we are playing five bigs and he’s one of them. I just want him on the floor because he brings great energy.”
Matkovic was a second-round draft pick by the Pelicans in 2022. The draft class that year also included first-round selection Dyson Daniels (now with the Atlanta Hawks) and second-round pick E.J. Liddell (now with the Brooklyn Nets).
Matkovic played with a team in Slovenia that year before signing with the Pelicans in 2024. He spent time last season in both New Orleans and in Birmingham with the G-League affiliate Squadron. It’s been all New Orleans for Matkovic, who has embraced his role off the bench, this season.
“The second unit always brings the energy,” Matkovic said. “I feel like that’s something that turns us. We try to push that pace every time we get in. Energy. High motor.”
Matkovic is in the second year of a three-year deal. Next season is a team option. Based on how he’s played, he seems to have shown enough promise that the Pelicans would want to keep him around. He turns 25 on Monday.
Borrego rattled off a long list of things he likes about Matkovic.
His speed.
His athleticism on both ends of the court.
His ability to protect the rim.
His penchant for finishing a lob pass.
And his ability to knock down 3-pointers.
“Those guys are hard to find in the NBA,” Borrego said. “Guys that are that athletic and can play multiple positions and are switchable defensively and can knock down threes.”
Teams are starting to respect Matkovic’s 3-point shot. There were times in Friday’s game against the Toronto Raptors when defenders would run Matkovic off of the 3-point line.
“That’s his next step,” Borrego said. “When he does put it down, how can he generate some more offense for us? That’ll be his next step.”
For now, Matkovic will look to finish the season strong. There are just seven games left, starting with a 6 p.m. home game against the Houston Rockets.
“I love his spirit,” Borrego said. “His competitiveness. He’s an incredible teammate. He’s so coachable. “